Padlock type locks

ABSTRACT

A lock of the padlock type comprising, in one embodiment of the invention, a substantially U-shaped yoke having legs provided with notches, the notched parts of the legs entering a housing which bridges the space between the legs. The housing has a cavity containing a movable, spring-biased plug that is effective when in one position, to hold locking pins in position to engage the notches in the legs. The plug when in another position permitting movement of the pins to disengage them from the notches. A lock casing fits in the housing and normally blocks movement of the plug to maintain the parts in locking position and when the lock casing is partly or completely removed from the housing it permits movement of the plug to allow shifting of the pins in order to disengage them from the notches in the legs. The lock mechanism in the lock casing includes a retractible latch engageable with the plug to hold the lock casing from withdrawal out of the housing unless a suitable key is used to retract the latch. In another embodiment of the invention, the lock casing has a part of a spline engaging one of the legs of the yoke, the spline becoming disengaged from the yoke by axial shift of the lock casing and the lock carries a latch holding the lock casing against axial movement until release of the latch by operation of a key in the lock.

United States Patent 1 Wellekens [54] PADLOCK TYPE LOCKS [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,698,201 1/1929 Pietrie ..70/39 1,679,6658/1928 Junkunc ....70/38 A 1,719,637 7/1929 Werner ....70/38 A 1,934,32711/1933 Ridder ..70/371 2,685,002 7/1954 Reilly ..70/37l FOREIGN PATENTSOR APPLICATIONS Great Britain ..70/38 A Great Britain ..70/39 PrimaryExaminer- Ernest R. Purser Assistant ExaminerLawrence .1. StaabAttorney-Harry Radzinsky 11 3,720fi33 [march 13, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT Alock of the padlock type comprising, in one embodiment of the invention,a substantially U-shaped yoke having legs provided with notches, thenotched parts of the legs entering a housing which bridges the spacebetween the legs. The housing has a cavity containing a movable,spring-biased plug that is effective when in one position, to holdlocking pins in position to engage the notches in the legs. The plugwhen in another position permitting movement of the pins to disengagethem from the notches. A lock casing fits in the housing and normallyblocks movement of the plug to maintain the parts in locking positionand when the lock casing is partly or completely removed from thehousing it permits movement of the plug to allow shifting of the pins inorder to disengage them from the notches in the legs. The lock mechanismin the lock casing includes a retractible latch engageable with the plugto hold the lock casing from withdrawal out of the housing unless asuitable key is used to retract the latch. In another embodiment of theinvention, the lock casing has a part of a spline engaging one of thelegs of the yoke, the spline becoming disengaged from the yoke by axialshift of the lock casing and the lock carries a latch holding the lockcasing against axial movement until release of the latch by operation ofa key in the lock.

4 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAR 1 31975 SHEET 10F 2 Fl 6.3 H6.4.

l ENTOR Joh EWe uekens MTTGEY PATENTEDHARI 3 m5 SHEET 2 or 2 INVENTOR 2?F.Wel lekens PADLOCK TYPE LOCKS It is an object of the invention toprovide a lock of a construction which enables it to function as apadlock; which is of simple and sturdy construction; which permits itscombination to be readily changed whenever desired, or which may haveits operating parts replaced whenever required and by simple operation.

More particularly, the invention contemplates the provision of a yokethat is received in a crosswisely extending housing, the housingreceiving an axially shiftable lock casing latched in the housing andthe housing containing elements engaged by the lock casing in a mannerto prevent axial shift of the lock casing until the latching connectionbetween the housing and such elements is freed by key operation.

DESCRIPTION In the accompanying drawings, wherein illustrativeembodiments of the invention are shown,

FIG. 1 is a sectional view through a lock of the padlock typeconstructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the lock with a portion of the housing brokenaway to disclose construction;

FIG. 3 shows an end portion of one of the legs of the lock yoke;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the lock as seen from the top of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view of the lock plug;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the lock casing;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the lock shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the same;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the lock of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings, there is shown therein a lockmade in accordance with the invention and which includes a substantiallyU-shaped yoke or frame 1 provided with integrally connected spaced legs2 and 3. These legs 2 and 3 are adapted to be bridged or connected by ahousing 4. When the housing 4 is in place and connects the arms 2 and 3,a closed loop is the result, which thus forms the lock into padlockshape and enables it to perform all of the required functions of such alock.

Provided through a part of the housing 4 is a bore or passage 5 which isclosed at one end and which receives a cylindrical lock casing 6containing lock mechanism which operates a laterally projectingretractible latch 7,

The locking mechanism contained in the cylindrical casing 6 maypreferably but not necessarily, be of a construction similar to thatdisclosed in my U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,260,080 and 3,464,241. Such type oflocking mechanism is one in which the combination of the lock can bespeedily and easily changed whenever it is desired to enable the lock tobe operated by a different key. Thus, an advantage of the presentinvention resides in the fact that when the possibility exists that thelock might be opened by persons having unauthorized possession ofasuitable key, the combination of the lock can be quickly changed andthis can be done without difficulty or extensive effort so that adifferently contoured key will be required in order to open the lock.

The lock casing 6 is provided at one end with a diskshaped head 8 andwith diametrically opposite splines 9 and 10 which can enter slotsprovided in the wall of the bore 5 for their reception.

Located in the housing 4 and extending transversely of the bore 5 is acylindrical recess or cavity 20 which receives a slidably mounted plug13 provided with ribs or lugs 14 in spaced relation. Located behind theplug 13 is a coil spring 15 which tends to bias the plug 13 to its openposition while the lock casing 6 is partly or wholly withdrawn from outof the bore 5.

The plug 13 is formed with a slot 16 (FIG. I) which receives a cross pin17 that serves to limit the sliding movement of the plug.

Provided in the housing 4 are lateral holes 18 extending from the recess20 and each of the holes 18 receives a tumbler pin 19, said tumbler pinsin the locked condition of the lock, entering notches 18a in the legs 2and 3 of the yoke 1. This arrangement holds the yoke from separationfrom the housing 4.

The lock is shown in its locked position in FIG. ll, wherein it will beseen that the plug 13 is being forced to the left against the bias ofthe spring 15 by contact with the lock casing and the latch 7 to therebylocate the lugs 14 in such positions that they hold the tumbler pins 19against inward retractive movement and they maintain the outer ends ofthe tumbler pins in the notches 18a provided in the legs of the yoke. Aslong as the parts are maintained in the position shown in FIG. 1. andjust described, the yoke cannot be separated from the housing 4 and thedevice can perform the locking functions of any padlock.

When it is desired to open the lock and detach or separate the yoke 1from the housing 14, a suitable key is inserted in the key slot 25 andis turned to retract the latch 7 from the position shown in FIG. I. Whenthe latch is retracted the lock casing 6 can then be wholly or partlywithdrawn from the bore 5 and at least to an extent to clear the recess20. If the lock casing 6 need only be partly withdrawn, stop means canbe provided to limit its withdrawal movement to an extent required. Whenthe lock casing 6 is axially moved as above described, the spring 15will move the plug 13 to the right as viewed in FIG. 1, and the lugs 14on the plug 13 will be moved to the right under the bias of the spring15 and said lugs will then be located out of the path of the tumblerpins 19 as shown in FIG. 5, permitting the pins to be moved out of thenotches 18a in the legs 2 and 3 and the yoke I to be then separated fromthe housing 4.

When the lock casing is again inserted in the bore 5 of the housing 4,the plug 13 will be forced to the left in FIG. 1 by the lock casing 6and this will force the tumbler pins 19 into engagement with the notches18a to lock the yoke l in place in the housing 4. The latch 7 will takeunder the shoulder 22 on the plug 13 thus preventing the axialwithdrawal movement of the lock casing 6 until the latch 7 is againretracted by the use of a kit.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the yoke is shown at 30,the same having the two integrally connected legs 32 and 33, The housingshown at 34 has two cavities 39 and 40 which respectively receive thelegs 32 and 33 of the yoke.

Extending transversely of the cavities 39 and 40 is a bore or recess 35which receives the lock casing 36 shown in FIG. 6. When the housing 34is fitted on the yoke 30 as shown in FIG. 7, the legs 32 and 33 extendpast and to one side of the lock casing and one of the splines 9,extends into a notch provided in one of the legs of the yoke.

The lock mechanism in casing 6 has a latch 37 which engages with acomplementary recess in the housing and holds the lock casing againstaxial movement until the latch is retracted by a suitable key entered inthe key slot 25. As an alternative the latch might be positioned toengage with one or the other of the legs 32 or 33 to prevent axialmovement of the lock casing.

The locking position of the lock is shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. There thelatch 37 is shown in its extended position and it engages with acomplementary recess in the housing 34 and holds the lock casing againstaxial movement. At the same time, one of the splines 9, 10 on the lockcasing 35 engages notch 39 extending across the leg 32 and holds theyoke against separation from the housing 34.

When it is desired to separate the housing 34 and yoke 30, a suitablekey is inserted in the key slot and is turned to retract the latch 37,thus freeing the lock casing from connection to the housing 34 andpermitting the lock casing 36 to be either wholly or partly withdrawnfrom the housing. The withdrawal movement of the lock casing 36 willcause the engaged spline 9 to be moved beyond the leg of the yoke withwhich it is engaged, thus permitting the yoke to be separated from thehousing 34.

The restoration of the lock to locking position mere ly requires theinsertion of the legs 32 and 33 of the yoke into the cavities 39 and 40while the lock casing 36 is either partly or wholly withdrawn from thecavity 35. The latch 37 is then engaged with the recess in the housingto accommodate it to hold the lock casing fully inserted in the housingwhile one of the splines on the lock casing engages a leg of the yoke.That is the locked condition of the lock.

What is claimed is:

l. A padlock having a U-shaped yoke provided with spaced legs, a housingextending between and connecting the legs, the housing containingtumbler pins, the yoke having recesses into which the tumbler pins enterto hold the yoke connected to the housing, a tumblermoving elementmovable in the housing, spring means biasing said element to a positionwherein it permits movement of the tumbler pins away from the legs, acylindrical lock casing slidably adjustable in the housing and operatingto maintain the tumbler-moving element in locking position against thebias of the spring means, a latch for holding the lock casing againstaxial movement until the latch is retracted by operation of a key in thelock mechanism contained within the lock casing.

2. A lock according to claim 1, wherein the tumblermoving element is aspring-biased plug provided with projections blocking movement of thetumbler pins when the lock casing is in a locked position, means forlimiting the shifting movement of the plug and means on the plug engagedby the latch to hold the lock casing against withdrawal moyement.

3. A padlock comprising, a U-shaped yoke having integrally connectedspaced notched legs and connecting the legs, a housing fitted over thelegs and having movable locking pins engaging the notches in the legs,the housing having a cavity in which a plug has a limited slidingmovement, spring means for biasing the plug to a position wherein itpermits movement of the locking pins, a cylindrical lock casing fittedin the housing and having a latch engaging the plug to hold the lockcasing from withdrawal out of the housing, said plug having projectionsengaging ends of the pins to hold said pins in a projected position toengage with the notches in the legs, the plug being shiftable under thebias of the spring means when the lock casing is at least partlyextended out of the housing to free the locking pins and permit them tobe disengaged from notches in the legs.

4. A padlock having a U-shaped yoke provided with spaced legs, a housingextending between the legs and connecting the legs, the housingcontaining a plurality of tumbler pins for engagement with the legs, thelegs of the yoke having recesses into which the tumbler pins enter tohold the yoke connected to the housing, a plug slidable in the housingin a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the legs, said plugbeing spring-biased in a direction to free the pins from engagement withthe legs, the plug having lugs engageable against the pins when the plugis in a locking position, the lugs being spaced apart for a distancesufficient to permit entry of the pins between them to an unlockingposition when the plug is moved to its unlocking position under the biasof its spring means, a cylindrical lock casing slidably adjustable inthe housing and operative to maintain the plug in locking positionagainst the spring bias, a latch for holding the lock casing againstaxial movement until the latch is retracted by operation of a keyinserted in the lock mechanism contained within the lock casing.

1. A padlock having a U-shaped yoke provided with spaced legs, a housingextending between and connecting the legs, the housing containingtumbler pins, the yoke having recesses into which the tumbler pins enterto hold the yoke connected to the housing, a tumbler-moving elementmovable in the housing, spring means biasing said element to a positionwherein it permits movement of the tumbler pins away from the legs, acylindrical lock casing slidably adjustable in the housing and operatingto maintain the tumbler-moving element in locking position against thebias of the spring means, a latch for holding the lock casing againstaxial movement until the latch is retracted by operation of a key in thelock mechanism contained within the lock casing.
 1. A padlock having aU-shaped yoke provided with spaced legs, a housing extending between andconnecting the legs, the housing containing tumbler pins, the yokehaving recesses into which the tumbler pins enter to hold the yokeconnected to the housing, a tumbler-moving element movable in thehousing, spring means biasing said element to a position wherein itpermits movement of the tumbler pins away from the legs, a cylindricallock casing slidably adjustable in the housing and operating to maintainthe tumbler-moving element in locking position against the bias of thespring means, a latch for holding the lock casing against axial movementuntil the latch is retracted by operation of a key in the lock mechanismcontained within the lock casing.
 2. A lock according to claim 1,wherein the tumbler-moving element is a spring-biased plug provided withprojections blocking movement of the tumbler pins when the lock casingis in a locked position, means for limiting the shifting movement of theplug and means on the plug engaged by the latch to hold the lock casingagainst withdrawal movement.
 3. A padlock comprising, a U-shaped yokehaving integrally connected spaced notched legs and connecting the legs,a housing fitted over the legs and having movable locking pins engagingthe notches in the legs, the housing having a cavity in which a plug hasa limited sliding movement, spring means for biasing the plug to aposition wherein it permits movement of the locking pins, a cylindricallock casing fitted in the housing and having a latch engaging the plugto hold the lock casing from withdrawal out of the housing, said plughaving projections engaging ends of the pins to hold said pins in aprojected position to engage with the notches in the legs, the plugbeing shiftable under the bias of the spring means when the lock casingis at least partly extended out of the housing to free the locking pinsand permit them to be disengaged from notches in the legs.